Going Pro in Atlantic City

[steamboatin]

If you are going to buy a home check Goldenfeather.com and see if they handle the HUD repo's for that area. You can get a decent deal. If not find a Realtor that handles bank repo's, buying foreclosures is +EV.

If you can't afford to buy, you can't afford to go pro.

You can ask the other poker pros when you get there, most of them will have something they need to sell, if they still have anything.

[McBluffin]

It's funny that you would suggest that. I just finished reading that book about a week ago. I found that section particularly interesting, however I totally disagree with some of the points mostly as they apply to online. I probably should have said that I plan on playing online as my primary source of money, but probably about 2-3 days a week I would go to the casino's to get in person experience. Not so much for the money.

Here are the reason's Alan Schoonmaker makes for not quitting your day job followed by my humble opions:
1. You probably won't make it.
Thanks for the discouragement, however I already have online.
2. There is little money and no future.
Wrong. I cashed out $14,000 in August playing 10/20 (6 man max) and I'm ahead of that pace for september. Plus this is proportionately what I was making at 5/10 prior to my jump up to 10/20. I have over 35,000 hands in my poker tracker data base which shows that I'm making approx 3.5 BB per hour.
3. It's extremely unhealthy.
I generally agree with this, but I found it strange he didn't mention the stress caused by frustration as one of the unhealthy consequences. Also, 2 of his primary reasons for it being unhealthy are because you are seditary and tend to eat unhealthy. That is basically the same with the vast majority of jobs. Hence the obsesity plague in the USA. That's not poker's fault, it's yours.
4. It's a dreary life.
I'll agree it's not all it's cracked up to be, however I love it. He says pro's frequently work very long hours and that you would strike against these unfair work contitions at any other job. I work long hours because I love what I'm doing. I'd rather work 10-16 hours and love it, then work 8 hours and hate it. Maybe I'm just crazy... seriously.
5. But it's a great second job.
He is absolutely right.

Despite my criticizms I did enjoy the book. Right now I'm in the process of teaching my friends to play and I found this tremendously helpful. However, I did not like how he constantly tried to tell you that you are not good enough. Also, the section on not quiting your day job was not fair at all. He basically describes the worse case senario if you do make it. He also only lists the cons and none of the pros.

[bunky9590]

Dr. Al used to be based out of AC. He knows his stuff.

Keep playing online for money. Some of the better Pros that you never heard of are sitting 20-40 and above in the casinos. Its not like playing online. I am a much better live player than online. Its no contest.

I used to play the 10- through 20-40 4-5 nights a week back around 99'- 00'. Nice little earn but its definitely a wear on the body and mind.

I play online now for the challenge as well as the money, but I have no visions of playing full time in AC. even though I know and am on a first name basis with a lot of the regualrs there.

Be prepared if you sit above 20-40 to have a very deep roll and at least 6 months total reserve in your emergency fund.

Whle your at it, sit in the 5-10 PL game and tell Rocco Bunky sent you.

[va_chier]

Playing live is romantic but this is your job not a hobby. Playing live would hurt your income and you are also losing money if you are living in a state with income tax like nj.
Since you have been a pro for only a year you need to very careful. Most pros fail because they are bad at running a poker business not because of bad play.

cheers matt

[Mike Gallo]

Is anyone out there live in/near AC that can give me advice on moving to the area?

I doubt you would want to live in AC.

Look in Absecon or Brigantine.

[turnipmonster]

we're not trying to discourage you from turning pro, we're trying to discourage you from moving to AC, because it's pretty trashy and doesn't strike me as a really nice place to live. what's wrong with taking the bus/train from DC to AC weekly for a day? If I had lots of free time I might do that, but would never move to AC. I think it would be hard to make friends with people my age.

--turnipmonster

[Lazymeatball]

Ever consider south eastern Connecticut?

[highlife]

how many hours of poker have you played in AC?

[McBluffin]

Never even been there. But the idea struck me and I fell in love with it. I'm not one to make rash decisions, so that's why I'm asking and planning to go there on Thursday for a visit and stay for USA World Poker Championship.

[McBluffin]

I've been to Foxwoods a few times and I do like it. It is a very good suggestion. However, and I'm probably wrong, but is there anything there except foxwoods? I'm a very social guy and could not stand to live out in the middle of nowhere. I thought AC would be more of a fit for me. Although I'm starting too see it might suck. But if anyone has advice on a fun area's to live close to Foxwoods, that would be greatly appreciated.